Half the patients with AFIB also have sleep apnea. Patients with sleep apnea have 4 times the risk of developing atrial fibrillation. How does sleep apnea contribute to AFIB? Potential mechanisms: Changes in intrathoracic pressure during apneic episodes leads to left atrial stretch. Intermittent periods of hypoxemia (low oxygen) and hypercapnia (high carbon dioxide) related…
Tag: arrhythmia
cannabis & the heart
There is lack of consensus on marijuana and its health effects. There is no question that THC helps chemotherapy associated nausea. However as this article suggest marijuana will increase risk of heart attacks in susceptible patients. Marijuana use has been associated with increased risk of stroke, though causality remains to be proven. Marijuana may contribute…
plant based diet starter kit
Harvard health talks about how to get started on the path to a plant based diet. 21 day kickstart Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine Here is a good link to motivate you to start your whole food plant based diet.
low carb diet and AFIB
Low carb diets are associated with an increased incidence of AFIB according to an ARIC substudy. Low carb diets may include high intake of animal protein and low intake of fruits, vegetables and grains which together may promote inflammation – an evolving risk factor for atrial fibrillation.
CAAP-AF score
This score attempts to predict patient outcomes for catheter ablation with AFIB. This is not a perfect science, however it may help us better choose patients for AFIB ablation.
why plant based diet?
Health Environment Ethics
cha2ds2vasc score 1 – anticoagulate?
Great review by Cavallari et. al in Heart Rhythm Journal for a common clinical question. •Deep stratification of thromboembolic risk is advisable, while also considering other possible predictors of increased risk beyond the CHA2DS2-VASc score, such as renal failure, left atrial enlargement, low flow in the left atrial appendage, different left atrial morphologies, and spontaneous…
alcohol-AFIB trial
If you have AFIB, alcohol will make it worse. Maybe it is time to stop or cut alcohol intake significantly
plant based diet – environmental argument
vegan cookbooks
The Plant Based Journey Thug Kitchen Energy Balls Veganomicon Cook, Eat, Thrive Street Vegan The Homemade Vegan Pantry